Device for and method of measuring volume of wood in stacks



y 1947. c. H. KEEPERS 2,424,619

DEVICE FOR AND METHOD OF MEASURING VOLUME OF WOOD IN STACKS i V Filed March 4, 194: 4 Sheets-She et 2 2c /3a 2 g 4 4 pm m /8 I (I I n J? 1 s I 3 I 3 I 17 I 376 9, in? e rival-12m:

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July 29, 1947.- c. KEEPERS DEVICE FOR AND METHOD OF MEASURING'VOLUMB OF WOOD IN STACKS Filed March 4, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet s July 29, 1947. CH. KEEPERS DEVICE FOR AND METHOD OF MEASURING VOLUME OF WOOD IN STACKS Filed March 4,1945

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FVIWVIML 23 CECIL If. lfsi sp.

Patented July 29, 1947 DEVICE FOR AND METHOD OF MEASURING VOLUME OF WOOD IN STACKS Cecil H. Keepers, Nekoosa, Wis., assignor to Nekoosa-Edwards Paper Company, Port Edwards, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application March 4, 1943, Serial No. 477,980

This invention relates to a device for and to a method of accurately measuring the actual volume of wood in a stack, and is directed particularly to a device and method which obviates the handling of the wood that is usually required in order.

to make other than a scalers estimate of the wood volume.

The evaluation of the volume of wood contained in a stack ofwood is rendered difiicult by the fact that the individual logs in that stack are of varying cross-sectional area at their ends and of varying taper throughout their lengths. Therefore, much of the space within the limits of a stack'represents space unoccupied by wood. The determination of the actual volume of wood in a given stack has in the past been based either upon the estimation by an experienced sealer or upon measurements of a sample quantity of wood selectedfrom the entire lot. Both of these methods are time-consuming and costly and, furthermore, at best merely give an approximation of the actual volume present.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a device and method for accurately measuring the volume of wood in a given stack, whereby the degree of accuracy of the measurement is greatly increased over the approximation normally obtained by the use of previously known methods.

It is another object of this invention to provide an apparatus and method whereby the measurement may be made without requiring additional handling of the wood and without delaying its movement to any considerable degree should it be in transit. i

Still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus and method for measuring the actual volume of wood in a stack whether it be located in piles during storage or onflat cars during transit. 1 i

Still another object of the invention is toprovide an apparatus and method for measuring the actual volume of wood in. a stack by the utilization of a photograph of the ends of the logs in said stack, thereby affording a permanent record of the shipment which is available for future reference.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide an apparatus and method for measuring the volume of wood in a given stack of.

logs, by the use of which measurements and calculations may be made rapidly and accurately by an operator who is unskilled in the art of scaling wood.

In accordance with the general features of my 3 Claims. (Cl. 33-425) invention, there is provided herein an apparatus for "accomplishing the purposes stated above which includes an objective for scanning a line extending across the face of a photograph depicting the cut ends of the logs in a regularly piled stack of wood. This objective is moved progressively'over areas of the photograph which disclose wood and other areas which disclose air spaces, or voids between the logs. When the objective is being moved over the wood by means of one operating member, this movement is regis- I tered on two separate scales, and when the objective is being moved across air spaces between the logs by another operating mechanism, this latter movement is registered on only one of said scales. This latter scale thus gives a cumulative tance traversed.

'tio-n having been completed, the apparatus may reading, while the other scale indicates only the reading over wood. The ratio of the wood reading on this scale to the cumulative reading is the ratio of actual wood to total linear dis- I'his first scanning operathen be similarly operated to scan other parallel and equidistant lines across the photograph.

From the several readings obtained, a mean ratio of wood to total stack dimension shown in the photograph may be determined. Thereafter, "the actual volume of wood in the stack may be quickly determined from the known overall dimensions of the stack.

A more specific object of my invention is to provide means to enable an unskilled operator to -quickly scan lines across the photograph and,

asa result of such scanning operation, obtain simultaneously a wood reading and a cumulative reading, from which a ratio can readily be obembodying my invention by which my method may" be practiced, the operating parts being shown at zero regist y;

' Figure 2 is a View similar to Figure 1 but showing a reading obtained as the result of a partial scanning operation, the photograph to be scanned being omitted to avoid confusion;

Figure 3 is a view taken on the line III--III of Figure 1;

" Figure 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of my device, parts thereof being shown in cross section;

- an upstanding portion -.of tracks 19.

3 V-V of Figure 4, illustrating the photograph in position, and, in dotted lines, the operation of adjusting the positionof the photograph; and

Figure 6 is a view of the photograph such as is used in carrying out my invention.

It is to be understood that the embodiment shown herein is for illustrative purposes'only and the invention should not be limited'thereto otherwise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

As best shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, the apparatus embodying my invention may --be.-mounted upon a suitable table or stand ;"which is provided with a substantially central-opening I having a source of light l2 'therebeneath. A-Lpiece of translucent glass is suitably. mountedi across the aperture H and above thisglassand aligned therewith is a photograph retainer 1 4.

The retainer l4 may be of any suitablexconstruction but preferably includes photograph retaining members I5 and-|6-between-which-the edges of the photograph may be secured. The outer member [5. is'secured-to supporting ele- .ments by means of=brackets l8,-theelements ll being grooved ontheir lower surface to receive In. order that the supporting elements l1- together-.with their appended parts and the. photograph. may

The rod 22 is provided desired position.

-As has been indicatedpreviously,--the invention is directed to an accurate-method for-thedeterminationof the volume-of: wood;in-a-'stack of 'logsdisposed in superimposed relation.- A view 1 ofthe side ofa stack'showingthe-cutendsof the 1 logs indicates generallythe' density.,of-.-.distribu- 1 tionof the logs :inwthe stack. -However, upon mere :inspection such a "view; gives 3 only. an: approximationof the relative volumeof wood; in the stack.

In carrying out 'myinvention; I-contemplate an actual-linear measurement of .the wood exposed at the side of the stack.anda-cumulative;measurement-of the wood-plusthe air ;spaces,-or voids between :the wood. These measurements are preferably although not necessarily-made from a photograph of the stack.

From these." measurements; 'theim'ean :ratio of wood to totallinear dimension of theistack may be calculated and thus the actual volumeofthe wood thereinxmay be readilydeterminedyif the length, width and height ofv the 'stackarerknown.

' Thetdesirediinformation-may in this'way be' obtained without necessitating theihandling-ofthe logs. This is of particular. importance when-delays andv demurrage are taken into consideration.

. In calculatin the quantity of woodtinazgiven stack, the widthzof the stack isiusually a'relatively constantfigure: since the .logs'. are? usually cut to a constant length. When thelogs are placed upon a flat car, the length of :thestack is also. a relatively constant figure .due tozthe standard'length of sucha vehicle. lThe' variable in the overall dimensions of a stack of logs is-ordinarily :the. height thereof: andin. orderth'at this ner. These standards support ways 2! which are disposed in parallel relationship to one another on.each side of the photograph supporting assem- '-:.A':primary. frame or supporting member 28 is .sIidably secured to the ways 21 in bridging relation'ship by means of gibs 29 which engage in gib- .frameZB and its appurtenances (to be described Ways 30 on the upper surfaces of the ways.

To the end that the primary frame 28 may be .adjustably.moved-through a path-parallel to the ..ways- 21, one ofthe ways is provided with in- -wardly extending bosses 3| and 32 which are apertured to rotatably receive a worm 33 having :an operating knob-34 at one end thereof.

As will beseen from Figure 2, the primary frame 28 is provided with an internally extending boss 35 which is apertured and internally threaded to receive a threaded rod 33. Thus, rotation of the operating knob 34 causes the primary .rpresently) to be moved in one direction relative to a-photograph such as -shOWn in Figure 5. To the end that the extent of such movement of the primary frame 28 maybe measured, there is providedon the upper surface of one of the'ways a scale 36,- the reference member for which may be either the upper or lower edge of the primary frame 28 as Viewed in Figure 2.

A As-will be seen from Figures 1 and 2, the pri- --mary frame 28 is provided with an end member 28a and transverse members 282), theupper memher 281) having a scale 28c fixedly secured thereto. member 28a is open and the members 2821 thereof are grooved-on theirinner surfaces as shown The endof the primary frame opposite the clearly in Figure 3, at 3B.

.-A secondary frame 31 is arranged within the primary frame 28 to slide laterally therein, and =providedwith tongues 31a which are slidably From Figure 2 it 28 by virtue of its movement into and out of the open end of the primary frame.

: This movement; of the secondary. frame 3! is .:accomplished bymeans of a threaded rod 38 havring an operating handle 39.

The rod 38 is rotatably mounted in a hanger member which is suitably secured to the outer surface. of the "member" 2811 of. the primary frame by screws or the like. .wA'lug 4| is secured in depending relationship from the lower surface of one of the Y bridgingmembers 31b of the secondary frame 31,

"edto receive the rod- 38.

this lug 4| being apertured and internally thread- Thu it will be seen that rotation of the operating knob 39 will cause ashifting'movement 0f the secondary frame 37 and itsappurtenances laterally of the mechanism and relative to the "primary frame 28.

. As 'will'be seen from Figure 3, the inwardly disposed surfaces of the members 3'") of the sec- 'xondary .frame 31 are provided-with grooves 42.

These grooves are adapted to receive tongues 43 'whichare 'formed:integrally onan objective base 44. Theobjective' base is further provided with a depending lug 45. which is apertured and internally threaded-to receive a threaded rod 46 having an operating knob 41. The rod 46 is rotatably mountedthrough a-hangermember 48 similar to thatshown at 40. Thus it'will be seen that rotation of the knob 41 will cause shiftingmovements of the objectivebase 44 relative to the primary frame 28 and the scale thereon as wellas relative to the secondary frame 31.

The objective base 44 is further'provided' with an indexing member 49 which registers with the scale 280 on the primary frame 28 and a lens index assembly 50 which registers with a scale 5| mounted on the secondary frame 31.

As best shown in Figure 3, the objective through which the photograph "may be viewed includes an eye piece casing 5 2 having a peep hole cover 53. The casing52 is enlarged at the bottom and is attached to a lens-holding casing 54 which retains lens 51 and which includesa reducedlower portion 55 at the bottom of which a hair lineglass 56 is mounted; The lower portion 55 is suitably secured through the objective base 44.

In carrying out my invention, a photograph such as that shown in Figure 6, is taken of the side of a stack which presents the ends of the logs. The scale 25 appears in the photograph. Thereafter the photograph is mounted in the assembly M as shown in Figure 5.

The secondary frame 31 and the objective base 44 are then regulated by knobs 39 and 41 and the respective worms until they assume a position at the right of the apparatus as shown in Figure 1. When in this position, the indexing member .49 registers with the zero mark on the scale 280 on the primary frame 28, while the index wire 50a held by the member 5017 of the magnifying assembly 59 registers with the zero mark on thescale 5| secured to the secondary frame 31.. Thereafter, in order that the intersection or the hair lines 56a in the hair line glass 56 may be disposed at the extreme right hand edge of the photograph, the knob 23 may be rtated to regulate the position of the photograph until this registry is obtained. The operator then operates the knob 34 in order to bring the intersection of the hair lines into registry with a. selected horizontal line across the photograph.

The apparatus is then in adjustment for the first scanning operation which is accomplished by the alternate manipulation of the knobs 39 v and 41 to progress the objective entirely across the photograph.

It will be seen that operation of the knob 39 will cause movement to the left (as Viewed in Figs. 1 and 2) of both the secondary frame 31 and the objective, these parts moving relative to the primary frame 28. Thus, the indexing member 49 will register the length of such travel on the scale 280, while the index wire 59a will remain stationary on the scale 5| because the objective mounting 44 is being carried with the secondary frame 31 and is not being moved relative thereto.

When, however, the intersection of the crosshairs is traversing a wood area, the operator ceases to operate the knob 39 and commences to operate the knob 41. During operation of the knob 41, the objective mounting 44 together with its appurtenances, will be moved relative to the primary frame 28 and the secondary frame 31. Consequently, the indexing member 49 continues to register the length of travel of the objective, while at the same time this movement is also reg- 6 istered independently by the 'illdEX WlI'B 50a on the scale 5|.

It will be seen that as this alternate procedure is continuedythe scale 280 is registering the cumulative distance traveled by the objective whether knob '39 or 41 is being operated. Thus, the scale 280 will ultimately show the total length of travel of the objective when the latter has traversed the entire photograph and the scale "5| will show only the distance traversed by the intersection of the hair lines over the area depicting wood." The ratio of wood to total length of line traversed is then readily determined by computingthe' ratio of the reading on the scale 5| to thaton the scale 28c.

After this operation has been completed for one line; theobjective is again moved to zero registry, as shown in Figure l, and the knob 34 is operated to progress the primary frame 2866 along a path disposed at right angles to the scanning path and along the scale 36 to select another horizontal line to be scanned.

This having been done, the operator again scans the'photograph with the objective by alternate operation of the knobs 39 and 41 to obtain another total reading on the scale 28c and a'reading of the distance traveled over wood alone on the scale 51. The operator again determines: the Wood ratio on that horizontal line. After scanning along a number, say five or more, equi-spaced horizontal lines, a mean ratio of wood to total length of the stack is obtained.

This mean ratio having-been determined, the operator then merely computes the apparent volume of thestackfrom the known length and width, and theheight thereof, checking the latter on 'thescale 25 in the photograph,and, com.- putes the'actual volume .of solid'wood in the entire stack by multiplying-the apparent volume by the mean ratio.

The apparatus as shown in Figure 2 is in a position representing a partial scanning of a photograph therebeneath. It will be seen that a figure of 1.5'has been registered on the scale 280: This figure represents the cumulative total of the distance scanned, since the indicator 49 traverses thescale upon movement of the secondary frame 31 during operation of knob 39 as well as upon movement of the objective mounting 44 relative to the scale 28c effected by manipulation of the knob 41. A simultaneous reading of the scale 5| shows 1.2. This lower figure is accounted for by the fact that the objective mounting 44 and the index wire 50a thereon move relative to the secondary frame 31 and to the scale 5! thereon only upon manipulation of the knob 41 for those distances through which the intersection of the hair lines 56a overlie wood. The ratio of 1.2 to 1.5, or 0.8 is the ratio of wood to total distance scanned. Multiplying the calculated apparent volume of the stack by 0.8, if that were the mean ratio obtained, would give the actual volume of wood in the stack.

For instance, if the knob 39 were manipulated when the crosshairs are passing over wood, and the knob 41 manipulated when the crosshairs are passing over air spaces, or voids, between the wood, then the reading on the scale 5| would represent the total of air space measurements and the reading on the scale 280 would represent the total length of the stack. The ratio of these two readings would then be the ratio of air to total stack volume, and, when multiplied by 100, would give the percentage of air in the stack. The difference between and such percentage would 7 thus represent the per cent of wood in the stack. From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a method and apparatus by which the volume of wood in a given stack may be obtained without handling the wood and without materially delaying movement of the logs if they are in transit. Furthermore, I have provided a method and apparatus by which a permanent record of the shipment is made since the photographs may be filed away after being properly identified.

It will be understood that many changes may be made in the construction of my device without departing from the principles of my inven tion. For instance, the screw adjusting mechanisms could be just reversed from the arrangement illustrated herein. It is therefore not my purpose to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than as necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is: I

1. The method of ascertaining the volume of wood in a stack of logs, which includes the steps of photographing the ends of the logs disposed in the stack, selecting a plurality of parallel lines across the photograph, scanning the lines from end to end to measure the portion of the length thereof which intercepts one only of the two media Wood and air, and the total length thereof which includes both wood and the air spaces between the wood to obtain values from which may be determined the mean ratio of wood to total stack dimension.

2. The method of ascertaining the volume of wood in a stack of logs, which includes photographing a side of the stack presenting ends of the logs, scanning the photograph along parallel lines thereon with reference to a pair of scales, for each line totalling the lengths of the portions which extend across Wood on both of said scales and totalling the lengths of portions which extend across air and Wood on onl one of said scales, the mean ratio of the totals so obtained on the respective scales being the ratio of wood to total stack volume from which the actual wood volume may be calculated.

3. In an apparatus for use in measuring the volume of wood in a stack of logs from a photograph of a side of the stack depicting ends of the logs in the stack, means for mounting the photograph, a pair of Ways disposed with the mounting means therebetween, a cross member bridging said Ways and constructed and arranged to slide along a path parallel thereto, operating means connected With said cross member for moving the same through said path, an objective support mounted on said cross member for sliding movement relative thereto through a path substantially normal to the path of movement of said cross member and across said photograph, guide means for establishing said last named path, independent operating means connected with said objective support and said cross member for moving said objective support relative to the cross member, a scale on said cross member for indicating said movement, an objective mounted on said support for sliding movement relative thereto through a path parallel with said movement of the support, guide means for establishing said last named path, independent operating means connected with said objective and said support for moving said objective relative to said cross member and said support and a scale on said support for indicating said movement.

CECIL H. KEEPERS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:-

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,301,935 Ehringhaus Nov. 17, 1942 865,418 Moe Sept. 10, 1907 2,006,774 Ohlsson July 2, 1935 1,937,433 Moe Nov. 28, 1933 1,761,863 Bassist June 3, 1930 902,584 Hulbner Nov. 3, 1908 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 272,146 Great Britain June 9, 1927 215,914 Germany Nov. 1, 1909 

